Hela is still in deep thought, wondering about what's going on. There are so many people with black tokens showing up in a town known only for sacrifices. Something is definitely different this time. The town does get sacrifices, and they do a lot of shopping before going to the valley, but this time something seems unusual. She was in two minds about whether to investigate this any further or just leave it. Then she remembered her seniors' advice before she took her post here. Some things are better left unsolved, as she doesn't want to involve too deeply. Who knows what karma will come upon her, and she may incur God's wrath. Does it imply she is religious? Absolutely not, but one does tend to be careful to avoid getting involved deeply in these matters.
She looked at the items that he has requested; that is surprising indeed. Mostly all the people would order the most advanced tech in the world available, their latest invention, and even black-market stuff. She had provided all. But this guy has asked for something totally unexpected and, to be precise, very basic. He has asked for a knife and bow. That is easy to provide, but the catch is he needed both made of death ore.
These are extremely rare to find and even more difficult to craft. Death ore is only available in places that are rich in blood. These manifest from places where a battle has taken place and a lot of blood is spilled. Since most of the tech warfare today leaves no chance for barbaric ways of blood spilling, which evaporated due to heat generated, hence the difficulty.
The ore has one special trait; that is, it releases a frequency of its own. It has an aura that it constantly emits and makes the wielder alert and, at the same time, appear more intimidating. It has many more uses that are not widely known. Raghu knows its true value and has incorporated it well into his fighting style, utilizing its prowess to the maximum.
She tells him that he will receive it if he waits for it outside. The delivery is due in 30 minutes. She invited him in because she wanted to meet the man Satya recommended. That man is very astute and hardly praises anyone. His eye for customers is top-notch, having built the 11th branch himself from scratch.
She wouldn't have seen him if not for Satya asking her to personally take care of it. The receptionist is the one that usually handles all the customers, and she handles only the VIP customers as she hardly stays in the shop. She is the Hon. Captain in the city guards as well; she is usually busy hunting the wildlife and enjoys the thrill, as there aren't many customers here to attend to. She asks him about his military life and where all has he served and if he has seen the other blocks.
Raghu, on the other hand, doesn't mind the light conversation; he tells her about enlisting in the military as young as 16, then serving at the commanding base of the southern star troops in 5th where he spent about 4 years, then serving at the forward posts in the western borders at 8th near the Lang valley for about 3 years. The next 3 years he served in the central star troops near the Yellow sea district in the 3rd block. "He also served several more elite and black-ops units, but he can't tell her that, can he? It would be stupid of him." He replied to her, observing her changing expressions as she is processing the information. He actually outranks her; his military title still held.
The exchange lasts about 30 minutes when the receptionist knocks the door and walks in with his materials. Receiving the items, he inspects them and notices that everything is in order, transferring credit to Hela as payment. He still has about 2500 credits even after spending loads, thanks to the 3000 credits received for his career in the military as final settlement. Well, bidding them goodbye, he now heads to the star base to report.
Entering the star base, he is escorted to the commanding officer. He knocks and walks into the cabinet. He simply walks in and takes the seat near the table, folding his right leg over the left and sitting in that position. The man opposite to him doesn't find it fitting; an irritating look appears on his face. He expected the man to salute him at least. He is about to tell him off when he notices Raghu looking at him. These aren't the eyes that a sacrifice should have, he noticed. He is way too relaxed for a person who is about to be thrown into the valley.
This is the first time the commander actually notices the man in front of him; he had not seen the service file of Raghu yet. It arrived late in the afternoon, and he hasn't had the time to look over it. He decides to hold back his anger and address him, "You can stay in the barracks till it is time. We will send someone to get you. You will be escorted to the valley on the morning of the 3rd day, mostly and send him off."
Raghu left his office and was escorted to the base barracks. There he observed that there are 2 barracks and are already occupied. The capacity is actually of 10 people in a single barrack. He had known that there will be around 240 people from all districts in the valley. When he walks into his barracks, he sees it is almost full, and he takes the last bed towards the end and settles in. The others observe him coming in, but no one bothers him seeing his huge build. He just picks a lay down and sleeps off like there is no tomorrow. (AT: Who doesn't want this superpower of sleeping whenever and wherever he wants... I am quite jealous of him).
While Raghu is in deep sleep, someone has just lost his sleep. Back in the commanding officer's room, he is looking at Raghu's file and is feeling like he just dodged a bullet. No wonder that man is the way he is. He should already be a general with his achievements, and they say he retired at Major. The file also said he didn't want to be promoted after that, so he stayed a major by choice. He doesn't want to probe a dangerous tiger and someone capable of becoming a general at the age of 25.
His capabilities are far beyond anyone he has seen. Why is he being sacrificed, he thought, but considering that the system is absolute, even the royals can't do anything. He believes that luck just didn't favor him and has a newfound respect for the man.
Two days pass by easily, and the only change in barracks is that it is now full to capacity, with two more people joining in. Raghu observes the lady he saw at the Enbo emporium before is also there in the same barracks as him. She is surrounded by 3 more people who are talking with her. Barracks seem to have become lively after she arrived; people have started interacting with each other. And of course, no one approached him; he is dozing off since he has arrived. The motto is surely eat, sleep, and repeat. The others don't pay much attention to him.
He is woken up by the attendant who walked in on the morning of the 3rd day, saying that they leave for the valley in the next hour. He tells them to get ready and take their stuff from the inventory where all their things are kept.
They arrive at the square where the transport is arranged. Three buses are ready waiting for them, and 4 armored vehicles are also present. They will go in the standard escorted formation towards the valley. He observes the armored vehicles have mounted guns and soldiers mounting them as well. Well, this must be for the wildlife, which is abundant as they will enter the forest surrounding the valley. He gets in the bus and takes the window seat. One should observe the view as the road ahead would be scenic.
Quite poetic he thought; people don't appreciate life while living it, constantly cribbing about it being unfair and unjust, but learn to appreciate life and nature only when they don't have any time left towards the end